selves, When Valentine arrived at an inn where VALEN-
he intended to rest during the night, the terrified TINE AND
inhabitants fastened their doors, and would not ORSON
suffer them to enter. Valentine made signs to
Orson, who placed his shoulder against the door,
and forced it open in an instant; upon which the
people of the inn all ran out at the back-door, and
would not venture to return. Agreat feast was in
preparation, and there were plenty of fowls and
good provisions roasting at the fire. Orson tore
the meat off the spit with his hands, and devoured
it greedily; and espying a caldron of water, he
put his head into it and drank like a horse.
In the morning, Valentine resumed his journey,
leading Orson as before. On arriving at the city,
the inhabitants shut their doors, and ran into the
highest rooms to gaze upon the wild man. When
they reached the outer court of King Pepin’s palace,
the porter in a great fright barred the gate with
heavy chains and bars of iron, and would not be
prevailed upon to open it. After soliciting admit-
tance for some time, and being still denied, Valen-
tine made a sign to Orson, who, tearing up one
of the large stone posts that stood by, shattered
the gate to pieces. The queen, the Princess
Eglantine, and all their attendants, fled to hide
themselves when they heard that Orson was
arrived; and Valentine had the greatest difficulty
to persuade them to believe that Orson was no
longer furious and savage as he had been in the
woods. At length the king permitted him to be
brought in; and the whole court soon gathered in
a crowd in the apartment, and were much amused
by his wild actions and gestures, although they
were very cautious not to come near him. On
Valentine’s making signs, he kissed the king’s
robe, and the hand of the Princess Eglantine; for
Orson had now become so attached to Valentine
that he would obey him in all things, and would
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